The Senegalese Chemical Industries (Industries Chimiques du Sénégal (ICS)) operate phosphate mines in Taïba, the Thiès area, the Tivaoune district and the rural community of Méoune since 1957.
Chemical Industries of Senegal or ICS is the result of South-South cooperation (the State of Senegal, the Indian consortium IFCO is the main shareholder), including the meeting between the important needs of India in phosphoric acid for fertilizer production and the availability of Senegalese high quality phosphate. It is the largest industrial complex in Senegal.
Within the framework of their environmental policy, important rehabilitation work by reforestation of old quarries has been done in collaboration with the local population, even if Senegalese law does not oblige ICS to do so. The project aims at reinforcing the rehabilitation of former quarries in order to reforest a surface of about 6000 ha, using carbon benefits to finance the activities.The land, which is completely degraded because of former phosphate extraction out of the quarries, will be replanted with two gum tree species, which are adapted for plantation in the area. Acacia Senegal will be planted for the production of gum Arabica and Anacardium for the production of cashews.
The seedlings for reforestation are produced in nurseries installed by the company. To secure the replanting, guards are recruited (1 per 200 ha.). In addition, a fence has been included in the business plan. After planting, entry of animals is prohibited in the one-year-old plots, but during the 2nd year, local residents are allowed to grow cowpea or water melon inside the plots. As pasturing is delayed during the first year, the grass mats will be mowed before senescence, which will assure good quality hay that will serve as fodder reserve for animals. As animals are most vulnerable to the weaning period, the fodder reserve maintains milk production at an acceptable level until the end of the dry season.
Besides increasing the capacity of carbon sequestration in the area which contributes to reducing CO2 emissions, the planting of gum trees and anacardier as well as maintaining a grass cover will reduce wind erosion by fixing the ground. With the absence of fire and animal exploitation in sensitive periods, the chances of regeneration of woody and herbaceous species will increase, so the state of biodiversity will be improved. Local rural communities will benefit of the project, as they will be involved in every stage of the project. The involvement opens up broad prospects for employment in plantations and related activities developed by the project.